I agree with everyone,I am a 26 yr old wife and mother of 2 and I am a emotional wreck, I could never imagine what Terri and the family is going through.I thought i was getting better but today has been bad,I see pictures of Steve with Terri and the kids and just cry,I don't know why i am so emotional over some one i have met before,but I feel like Steve and his family is a part of my family,I guess in a way they are, we have watched them through alot,starting the show, losing his mum, having the kids,Everything. The Irwin family was had such an impact on my life.I want to Thank them for sharing their lives with me and the world. TERRI BINDI,BOB AND FAMILY MY HEART IS WITH YOU, YOU ALL WILL BE IN OUR PRAY'S. STEVE YOU WILL TRULY MISSED BUT YOU LIVE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER!!! LOVE YA STEVE RIP LOVE AND PRAYERS FELICIA TOWNSEND OTWAY, OHIO
I'm so glad to see that I'm not alone. Each day I think I'm doing better then I'll see a memorial to Steve on AP or read all the beautiful things people have written about him and that knot is back in my throat and I'm holding back the tears. The last time I felt like this was on 9/11. I fell like I have lost a dear friend as many of you also feel. I know someday the pain will subside, but I will never forget what a great man, conservationist, huaband, father, son, friend that Steve Irwin was. His legacy will live on not only through his family, but each and everyone of us whose lives he has touched. May his memory live on forever.
Its nice to know none of us are alone. Here I am 39, two kids, great job and I cry everyday. It was as if I could relax in my job as long as Steve was out there to take care of the animals. I am feeling this overwhelming desire to dump the job and go into teaching. I miss you Steve...
My name is Amy and Im 37 years old and when my brother told me about Steve Irwin I cried all day. I lost my grandmother 4 years ago and I think about her and cry sometimes. I cant believe it. My nephews are 7 and 3 and they would sit and watch the crocodile hunter with me for and hour 5 days a week. I Miss Steve im sad now I have a challenge for everyone on tuesday september 19 they are going to show the memorial on animal planet from 9-10 pm. check your schedules.ITs going to be commercial free. My challenge is when it comes on we should all light a candle at home or at church for steve and his family. May God Bless Us All. Amy McGarvey From Rancho Cordova Ca
My family and I are having a hard time believing that this has happened to a person who was willing to help nature. I too tear up when I see those clips of him telling his stories how he met terri and seeing the clips where bindi was born and how proud he was.Especially the one where he was telling what he wanted to be remembered for.
I have been going to bed crying about Steve and his family's loss, not to mention my own feelings. I live alone and watched his wonderful shows eating dinner. They were friends and took us to places most of us will never experience. Their love for each other, their passion for life and their conservation gave us a passion to continue in our own lives. Today is full of saddness and Steve's big smile and enthusiasm and Terri's calm voice gave me hope for a future. All I can hope for is that Terri and Bindi continue the shows so we can continue to learn about our world in the positive ways, not the wars that are going on around us. Terri, we love you...and Steve wherever you are I hope you are in peace. I have never cried so much since the day of my divorce. God speed and Crocs Rule. I hope all these notes give us all peace as we are really suffering over this loss.
I am only too aware of your difficulties. I woke up that awful morning to news reports saying that Steve was dead and I couldn't believe it, I had to log on and as an AOL member it was one of the first news bulletins posted as I came online and I immediately started to cry, sob is more accurate I couldn't fathom that this wildlife warrior was no longer with us.
As a 34 year old, preschool teacher I have so many children that absolutely loved him, for years now we've always had at least one crocodile hunter for Halloween!
But beyond the children, I myself am a wildlife lover and watching Steve and Terri and all of the Australia Zoo staff was inspiring. To see him so obviously enthralled with, excited by and in love with everything from Bird-eating spiders to poisonous snakes to huge 16-foot crocodiles was so thrilling and he was real and so obviously just completely tickled and passionate about what he was doing.
I feel as though I've lost a family member even though I haven't lost anyone in my immediate family I can't imagine what Terri and Bob and Bindi and Big Bob and Wes are all going through not to mention all of Steve's friends and other family members all over the world I only know what this one wildlife lover here in Bear, Delaware is dealing with even two weeks later.
My love and prayers are sent out to everyone at the Australian Zoo, as well as special prayers for Steve's wife, children, father and "Best mate" Wes. I've loved watching you all and I can't believe he's gone. Carry on with the work and the passion and he'll live on in all of us.
And to you Steve-o, God Bless all of your work, I hope, I know, that you are sitting up there with your Mum, watching the torch being passed to as many of us that will take it up!
Hey Im 25 from Louisiana. I have great saddness everytime I think about this. It hurts so bad that such a beautiful person had to be taken from us, from his family and friends, from the things he loved to do. I know he is in heaven with his mother and his dog Sui. He's looking down on us and he is our angel. Let his memory and his work live on. God Bless ~Heather~
Do not be sorry! Steve was as good as they come. He was a Hero to more people than we can count. I too, am deeply saddened by our loss of such a "real" human being. I have a deep affinity for animals and when I first saw Steve's show, I immediately felt a kinship with him. I hope the pain will ease some over time, but I know this hole will never be filled to the top again. It is ironic. I read just today, the polar ice cap will be gone by 2050 at the current melt rate. That means no more Polar Bears! We need Steve now worse than ever! We have got to do something! Please let's give up our Hummer's and big houses and conserve what we have left! Steve and I thank you!
I am 30 years old and I also feel the same way. It is so hard to understand why such a good man, so full of life, so enthusiastic, so passionate can be taken away. It really is like I knew him. I cannot imagine what Terri, Bindi, Bob, and Steve's family and friends are going through at this time.
I have cried over his loss like many of you. I can't even begin to explain why I feel this emotionally attached to a man I never met except for on TV. I have never felt this way about another celebrity. I guess it's because he was just so genuine. I guess I can also relate to his absolute love of animals. I really don't know...he was just so full of life, so exuberant, so in love with life, it just doesn't seem right. It just doesn't seem fair. Why do such good people have to be taken away from us? I'm sure this is rambling, but I'm just trying to get all my thoughts out. The only possible way I can make sense of his passing is to think that he had accomplished his mission here on Earth. We can all see how he and his life's work will live on in others. That in itself is an enormous accomplishment. RIP Steve, although from what we knew of you, you won't be doing much resting. Take care of the animals in Heaven for us!
Hello...i am 13 ...i am havin great dificulties coping with the trajic death of Steve Irwin..i cry my self to sleep at night..but i think we all learned somthing from the death of The Crocidile Hunter..that conservation is a great thing.. i was fortunate enough to watch the show "The Crocidile Hunter" from about age 3-4 to age 11 and with his death has brout meaning to me..and i also plan to be a conservationist.
Travis
This message has been edited. Last edited by: mod_kelly,
I'm a 40 year old mom and professional. We've been watching all the tributes on Animal Planet and we, too, are still shocked. It really does feel like we've lost a family member and we really find ourselves asking, "How could God take such an incredible man?". If you listen to Steve's own words about his mom, he says a loss like this is devastating and will never go away but you have to go on for others. He does say that years after his mom's death that he still grieves (and cries- the tears). It's hard to make sense of this except that we all truly have a little of his spirit in us. It's like a little pilot light that was lit in everyone. His passion, his honesty, his love for family and animals- those are things you don't see much in our celebrities and leaders. That's why he was one in a trillion. I know his family must be reeling in what to do without him. However, what Steve said was that you have to lean on the family values and family connections/bonds that were made. Terri is surrounded by Steve's best friends and family. They'll have to carry on living his message. He may not be on earth but boy they have him on film. Not many people get to have such a thing. My prayers are with the Irwin family. We'll all be grieving for some time to come.
I am a 20 year old girl from Louisiana and I feel his this sadness over his death that i usualy only reserve for family members.I didn't ahve animal planet but on occassion they would show one of his shows on local TV programming and I was always glued to the TV.His personality just jumped out at you and you could not help but get just as excited as he was.I not a big fan of reptiles but he put me at ease enough to be able to watch them on TV especially snakes when before I would have a panic attack just seeing them on TV or a pic of them in a book.He distracted you and made you smile.I have cried a few times and that is something for me.I am known as the tough cold one in my family who never cries.He made watching animals exciting.I will miss him terribly and when I think of him i will shed a tear but smile at the same time.
You are certainly not alone. I'm up writing this because I can't sleep, I'm very depressed about this and I worry about his family and the pain they must be feeling. I can't believe that this has happened - I have been watching him for years - a total fan. I have always cared more for the plight of wildlife than that of mankind and Steve made me comfortable with that.
I'm a 47 year old professional and don't understand why I feel so upset by this. I too was sad when Diana died but I didn't relate to her in the way I did to Steve Irwin. He was the real deal for sure. The love he had for his family was something to behold! He has touched the world in a beautiful way and this planet is better because he was here. You can't say that of many people.
To his famly I give my deepest sympathy. My heart breaks for your loss. He was loved by the world and he will never ever be forgotten.
You are definately not alone. It almost seems surreal. My husband thinks I'm crazy that I could be soooo emotionally upset over someone I never knew personally. He is the reason why I do what I do now. I will forever be thankful to Steve and his Family for opening up our eyes and showing us that all animals have a story and it deserves to be told. I will NEVER forget him and I will miss him forever.
The public memorial is coming up. I don't want to say goodbye...not yet. I'm not ready. Will I ever be?
Why are we so sad?
When Steve died we lost a part of ourselves because he represented the child in us...
...the childlike, wide eyed innocence who still sees good in the world around them, who still sees hope.
When Steve died we lost hope...
...hope for a world that is good and kind enough to love ALL it's creatures.
When Steve died we lost our voice for positive change in the world...a better world.
When Steve died we lost our brother, our husband, our father, a friend because in his eyes we saw all of them.
When Steve died all our losses from deep in our hearts welled up to the surface.
When Steve died we lost a part of our soul.
When Steve died we lost...Steve.
But did we?
I wonder.
I dare to believe that if we carry on in some way, HIS way, that is to make a difference in this world...whether it be grand or small gestures, might his living go on?
You're not alone. I'm having difficulty coming to terms with Steve's death too. It is 2:35 am where I live and I'm up writing this because I can't sleep. It is so hard to think that this is real. I keep thinking of Terri, Bindi, little Bob, and Steve's dad and how bad it must be for them.
God bless the Irwin family. We love you and are thinking of you.
I think we've said it all...we've lost a family member. I've been watching him from day one, watching the family grow. I don't know that we will ever get over the loss. We can, however, keep his memory alive by doing our part for conservation. When does the saddness and crying stop?
I wasn't going to post this in the forum, but after reading others who are grieving just as hard as I have been, I changed my mind.
I am sitting here reading through the forums as I do nightly. And again there are tears for this GREAT person we have lost. One thing that I keep thinking about is why I can’t get past this grief. I have lost family and close friends in my life and yes I grieved in my own way, but this is so different. My sense of loss is greater than I have ever experienced before. Why does this man I hardly know, other than watching his televised series, have such an impact on me?
Okay I have done it, I spent the entire night writing, but as I read what I have written below, I have a sense I need to share this with someone. More for myself, I must admit, but just maybe others will see how Steve Irwin truly did effect their daily lives, even if in a subconscious way. Much of what is written is a personal account of parts of my life. Please bear with me, for once you get to the end you will see why I had to explain in the way I did. This little exercise was a cleansing for me, and something that I should have done years ago. I am putting some of my ghosts in front of me and dealing with them for first time in my life. I had not intended for this to be a mini-novel, it just developed into one. My sincere apologizes to you in advance for its length.
My husband and I were talking about it this evening. It is even hard for me to talk to him about, every time I start talking about Steve I get choked up and tears are in my eyes. I decided to sit down here and put all my thoughts in writing and see if they made and sense, rhyme or reason as to why I am having a hard time coming to grips with Steve Irwin’s death.
Steve Irwin’s Impact on my life.
Part of my reason for this grief I feel is that Steve Irwin had this childlike quality about him. Please do not take that in the wrong way, because childlike is a good way to be. We all should get in touch with the child in us. As adults we always shut so many emotions inside us because we are ""adults"". Steve didn't, he wore his heart and his feelings on his sleeve, never afraid to show the world laughter, love, to be zany just because that was how he felt at the time, and to cry. Steve was never embarrassed of his public tears or made apologizes for them. When he hurt, you knew. He also approached life without fear, we are not born with the emotion fear, it is taught to us by our surroundings. Children do not fear the unknown as an adult does; a child’s curiosity knows no fear, until we or society teaches them to. Steve knew this and why he introduced nature and wildlife children as soon as they were born. He was teaching them not to be afraid, but he and Terri were also teaching to know the boundaries that were expectable within the wildlife domain.
Another reason I am taking this so hard is that Steve lived his life just as he wanted to do. Again he made no apologizes, he was doing exactly what he wanted. He was following in his father’s footsteps, building on his father’s dreams and truly loved this path he had chosen for himself. How many times have each of us thought to our selves, “I wish I had done this with my life or done that with my life?” I know I did for years. That is not to say I was unhappy with my choices, but at the same time I always knew I could have made better ones. Steve inspired us.
When I was six years old I had lost both my younger brothers to spinal meningitis and before the age of eight, my father. My sisters and I were too young to understand why my brothers were no longer living with us, in my mind at the time I just thought they went some where else to live. After the death of my brothers, my parents separated and my Mother moved us girls a ways from our father and his family, so we had little contact with them over the next two years. I do remember that he was a carpenter and up to the time I started school, I was his little helper. I would go on jobs with him all the time. My father was full Native Cherokee and I remember that he was always out in the wilderness poking around looking at rattlers and such, telling me to always look and listen to what Mother Earth was saying. Just plain enjoying all the Nature had there to provide us a glimpse of. I loved this man who was so wise and knew all about nature. Then one day he was gone too. My Mother simply said your Father has died and that was that. We did not attend a funeral and life just went on.
I have always had a love for animals and even as a child would find injured or wounded animals and try to aid them. Our house was a menagerie of animals all the time. Laughing now, because my mother is NOT an animal person, luckily my step-pop was. Mother would come home and find the strangest critters in a boxes in my bedroom. My Grandfather, God Rest his Soul, was like me too. What I couldn’t cure or heal, he usually could. He always told me I took after my Father’s people and their Cherokees ways. I was taught to cure but NOT to tame; these critters had their place on this earth for a reason. There were those rare occasions when a raccoon, a skunk or other critter couldn’t be released back into the wild again because they had been maimed so badly they would have not have been able to survive on their own. In those cases they, when they could, would be introduced to the barn.
Grandfather had cattle and horses and from the time I could walk that was where I was down in the barn. We (by we, I mean my Grandparents, I was practically camped out with them more than I was with my Mother) had cats, dogs, rabbits and these occasional raccoons, skunks, badgers etc. Other than the fences for the cattle and horses, there were no cages. Grandfather let the other animal come and go as they pleased. He would always say to me, “They know each morning and evening when feeding time is and where, no need to cage them.” Yes, there were times when one of our adopted critters would disappear; Grandfather would say they are with Mother Earth. Meaning that either they had learned to hunt for themselves again and returned to the wild or literally that they had passed and where now part of Mother Earth. As sad as I was that they were gone, I learned over time, they were where it was best for them.
I married young, moved up to Yankee land of Vermont. No offense to any New Englanders intended, believe me, but I had spent half my life up to this point bouncing back and forth from the Carolinas, Texas and Massachusetts. I am and will always be more southern than I was ever northern. So to marry a southern girl and bring her to Vermont and think she is going to instantly blended in. Laughing as I say, well it doesn’t happen that easily. I was lucky to be able to continue raising horses, a few head of cattle and having a menagerie of animals. I also was blessed with four children, my oldest, Mia passed on when she was an infant. She, I pray stands near my Grandfather and Steve and they will teach her the ways of the animals.
In addition to my other three children, I kinda-sorta adopted three more. I was Mom to everyone in the small town my husband lived in. There were occasions as pre-teens and teens do, there would be a rebellion in the home. I would always offer my house to other parents as a safe haven till things cooled down and a half way agreement could be worked out between child and parent. To make it short, for one reason or another on three occasions, the child moved in and never left. So I raised six children, three of my own and three who I loved just as much as if I had birthed them myself. All of the children were raised around animals and taught to respect their ways.
Even though my Grandfather wasn’t living that close to me, he would call three or four times a week. My Grandparents would visit as often as they could. He helped me to teach the children the ways of the Cherokee, even though he himself was not of Native blood, he believed in many of our ways. But in later years he explained that each band of People are more alike in their ways, than they are different. “From Mother Earth, only take what you need, use every bit that you take and always return a portion back as a way of expressing your gratitude”. I am proud to say my Grandfather lived this way in every thing he did. He always walked the Good Red Road no matter what path Grandfather Spirit thrust him upon.
As my children grew, my lifestyle was forced to change in a big way. A depression hit the little area we lived in and all of the manufacturing moved out of the area. These businesses were the sole employment for 90% of everyone within five or six towns that were in range of them. I no longer could be just be mother, home maker and rancher I had to take a job myself. As much as it broke my heart, within a few years it became clear that my horses and cattle had to be sold. This was devastating to me, because I have and will always feel that any of Grandfather Spirit’s critters are my children as well. It was like seeing one of my children leave home.
At the end of this same year, I received a phone call saying my Grandfather had terminal cancer. He fought for life with all the treatments, but it was to no avail. The children and I visited with him on many occasions during this time, but eighteens months to the day he learned he had cancer, I received another phone call. It was my grandmother saying, Grandfather wanted to speak with me. We talked briefly; he wanted me to bring the children down to see him that day. He was so weak and barely able to talk. I knew his time was short, so I called the schools and told them I would be pulling them out of their classes early that day and drove straight to my Grandparents. My Grandfather did not look good at all; it made my heart ache to see this once virile, active man all shriveled up and bed-ridden. He asked to talk to my oldest son and then each and every one of the six children. He had taken my three kinda-sorta adopted children into his heart, just as I had. They were his grandsons just as if born to me. When he had got to my youngest, the only girl of the brood, I asked for to wait a bit and told him he needed to rest. He for the first time in his life snapped at me and said bring Jaimelynn in here. My daughter was only five at the time and she was the apple of his eye. She climbed up in his bed and cuddled up to him as she always did. They chatted for a bit, her giggling as he always made her do. After a bit I said I needed to talk him, and shooed the children outdoors to play. I told my Grandfather he needed to rest, his reply was, “Soon I will have all the rest I will ever need”. With tears, I told him, once again how much I loved him and gave him a hug. He said he was thirty so I said I would go make some ice chips for him. As I was doing this, I talked to my Grandmother again. I asked her how much longer the doctors felt my Grandfather had, she said not long. Then we both heard this choking, rattling sound. A sound I will never forget in my entire life. My Grandfather had passed on. He knew his time was near and his last wish was to speak to his grandchildren, especially his precious granddaughter.
Arrangements were made; the children and I drove down for the services. I love my Grandmother dearly, but probably will never understand her ways. She is one who never ever shows any emotion. No were no tears that day and stern warnings to us all not to go making fools of ourselves by blubbering all over the place. “That my Grandfather had lived a good life and was in God’s hands now happy and safe”. As I write this I can hear Grandfather just as if he was standing here next to me mumbling under his breath, “Daayum Irishwomun” for my Grandmother came from good ole Irish stock that had come to US to help build the railway system back in 1880. The children and I returned to Vermont that weekend and life went on.
Then in 1997 I saw my first episode of The Crocodile Hunter, I was hooked on Steve Irwin from that very first show. Here was a man that not only loved animals, but put his money where his mouth was and bravely faced dangers to protect these animals. A man that had such a zeal for life, and such an inquiziative way about him. He would pick up those animals, snakes and reptiles just so we could get a closer look and in time he would calm those creatures with his voice. Not that they were any less dangerous, but you could see they were calmer. Yes many times I would think no way I would ever do such things, but I amired him for it all the same. Plus the show was in Australia, mercy me I had been saying to my husband for years over and over, when we retire I want to go to Australia. People could have their France, Italy and other countries, but Australia made me think of home. My husband would laugh and say, nice to have dreams, but do count on it. Oh well I would have my dreams then.
By 1999, as happens with children, all my sons had grown and moved out making lives of their own. My daughter was 16 and active with her social life. I was facing empty nest syndrome. Not facing it well either, I’ll tell you. I had been very active in my children activities, holding every postion in the PTA for fourteens years, Boy Scout Unit Leader, even Scout Master for fours years while district was trying to find a man to take over the pack, Little League Coach or Assistant Coach, Soccer Assistant Coach, Booster Club Mom, Drama Club Aide, etc. etc. the list goes on. One day it hit me, “What was I going to do with all this free time”.
I had a successful career, climbed the corporite ladder to District Manager. Each and every time I would watch The Crocodile Hunter, saw Terri and Steve Irwin and as much as I enjoyed the show, I felt like I was missing out on something in my life. I wanted what? I had a big beautiful home with all my lovely flower gardens, a job that was ok, children who for the most part never gave me a lick of trouble. The oldest son married with a son of his own, whom I spoil to pieces. What was missing?
In the fall of 1999, one day I was home alone cleaning and thinking. I had just made my five year milestone from my last bout of cancer. I was still cancer free still, hoorah for me. But there was still a little tiny voice in my head saying five years is good but the next five will tell. That evening my husband came home and I said I wanted to do more with our lives, travel some, do some exploring of new places, be adventerous. He laughed and every day life an adventure, what fool ideas did I have going on. Well for first time in my life, I bristled. I told him I wanted to go over seas and travel. I had taking the children every summer on trips all over the US and now I would like to travel overseas. He told me I was crazy, I am sad to say. We never argued in the entire 25 years of marriage not once, but this time I wasn’t backing down. I wanted to do something I wanted and truly felt in the end it would be to the families advantage. A learning expierence for us all. There was only him, myself and my daughter living at home, I had built up a wonderful retirement nest egg from trading stocks and put particial dividend earning in a savings account. So money was not the issue. Only the williness to do it as a family. The more we talked about what we each other had for goals for the rest of lives, the sadder I had become. We had just grown in two different directions over the years. He with his social elbow rubbing climbing up the ladder ways, golfing with the sorta rich set, eatting out at fancy restrauts and me going along many times dreading the day or evening. I know poor me right, 75% of women would give their eye teeth to live as I was, but I hated it. That saying about country girls, “ya can dress em up in fancy clothes and jewelry, but underneath they still a country girl”. Well that was me, I was much happier outdoors with my children, animals and flowers than I ever was hubnobbing with the social crowd. My husband and I seperated shortly after this. The idea was we were going to try dating all over again to see if we rally liked the persons we had become.
I moved into a small country house that a friend owned and let me stay for practically nothing as long as I help her fix the place up. My daughter adjusted fairly well to this seperation as for in many ways it didn’t effect her life all that much. She still went to the same High School, had the same friends and saw her father probally more than she did before. Then in March of 2000 a friend of mine in Texas said that they were going for an interview for Delta Airlines. That Delta was starting up a new Security Division. I was envious of her. That weekend I said something to my husband that I would like to apply and see if I could get a position in one of the airports near us He laughed and said they weren’t looking for middle aged women. Grrrrrrrn here, because I now had become pretty dang independent for myself as I now was on my own more or less for the first time in my life. I called my girlfriend in Texas, asked her for more specifics. She told me they were doing the interviews in Atlanta and the date. I got myself booked on a flight and down I went.
To make a long story short, I was hired that very day as a Concourse Security Supervisor for this new division they were putting together. They would take two weeks for all the FBI backgrounds checks and other paperwork, but after cleared all middle and upper management would begin five weeks of semenars. The hitch was it would be there in Atlanta.
I flew back that evening called my husband and told him that I had been hired, that from Nov 1st to Dec 15th I would be required to be in Atlanta during the training Semenar time. Plus this position was triple the money I was currently making, plus other benefits as well as flight benefits for myself and my whole immediate family, what did he think? He basically said I should be happy with what I had and leave it at that. Wrong answer!! I asked him if our daughter could stay with him during the week during those five weeks. He sputtered a bit about not knowing how to deal with a teenage girl. To his defense he wasn’t involved with the children much and was away from the home much of the time the years they were growing up, but he felt that he was advancing his career hobnobbing. And to be totally truthful this time, I was being a bit selfesh, I wanted this position and told him so. I said they could survive Mon. through Fri with out me for five weeks.
Well saddly to say my husband and I totally parted our ways over those five weeks, no fault of his or mine.. We filed for divorce. This away time brought it home to both of us. He liked the social life and I liked the country and wanted to travel as I had when the children were growing up.We still are good friends to this day, but both of us happier now than we ever were together. I moved to Atlanta, or more correctly close to. I found a lovely duplex out as close as one could call it as being country in that area. My daughter would fly down every Fri. after school and fly back every Sun. night. She spent every vacation and holiday with me as well as her summers. As she was a Junior in High School and I couldn’t nor did I want to disrupt her life any more than it already had been. I could work my shifts around her schedule and would fly up for all her school functions during the week. She recently said to me, “Momma you know I think we got closer to each other after you and Daddy split up, than I had ever been before”. She was right. Before she had been so busy with her social life, that there were times I would only see her during a meal or when she came in at her curfew and went to bed. But during her last year and a half of High School when she was with me, it was just her and me. We did everything together.
I continued to watch the Crocodile Hunter, but now a much happier person. Each show as I would watch the more and more I admired these people, Steve and Terri Irwin. When their daughter Bindi was born, I cheered and cried along with them as only parents can at the first site of their newborn. With each show I would watch so would my fasination with Australia grow.
The very first place my daughter and I used our flight privilages to was Australia. Wish I could say it was to Queensland, but it wasn’t. I had friends in Western Australia and paid them a visit. This was the first of many flights over the pond for me. Each time visiting areas where I knew someone. For four years Australia was like a second home to me. I was lucky to meet Steve Irwin, very briefly that it was, but it was not in Australia. Him and Terri had a layover over in Atlanta during a flight I think to California and when I found out they were on the passenger list on a flight inbound, I made sure I was at the gate when that plane unloaded it’s passengers. Being in a Middle Management position, I was not able to do anything as uncouth as ask for his autograph, but believe me, I sure would have loved to. But I was able to walk up to him and briefly shake his hand. Greet him and Terri and say how much his shows meant to me. He smiled, beamed is a more accurate way of discribing his smile, because when he smiles it shines from both his heart and his eyes. Then he said with his Aussie way, “Good on ya mate” and they were rushed off to board the shuttle cart to take them to their next outboarding gate on another concourse. I remember standing there, thinking merccccccccy me, I had just met the Irwins, brief as it may have been and had touched the hand of Steve Irwin, a man who had drawn me in hook, line and sinker to his life style, his love of his family and most important of all, getting the word out to the world that we must preserve wildlife. My hero! I felt like a schoolgirl with a crush on a rock star, laughing here again now. Middle aged women with a school girl crush. You know that feeling like you’re never going to ever, ever, ever wash that hand again kinda feeling. I would fly to Australia on these mini layovers any chance I had a little extended time off. I vowed that very same day through, that the next three week vacation I got, I was going to Queensland and visit the Australian Zoo.
As life has a way of doing, my life got turned upside down in 2003. After 9-11, Airport Security was being turned over to the new Government FAA Division, TSA. As it is the way with Government Departments it took them several years to get their act together and finally in ernest take over Airport Security. Also during TSA setup time they made a deal with Delta not to hire more than 10% current agent staff nor any of Delta’s management, that management would be absorbed in later after they had fully taking over Airport Security. Well DUH don’t take a rocket scientist to know that if you wait until you have hired, trained, and now have a fully operating security team in place, you don’t have any immediate placement positions left. Needless to say 1,000’s of current Delta Security people were without jobs. Some, if willing to move to other Delta Airport Stations around the country were transferred. I was offered several transfers, but they were further away that I was willing to go from my daughter. Even though she had graduated from High School the previous summer I still wanted her or I to be able to get to each other within a few hours if needed. She could fly to Atlanta in a couple of hours or to Texas in three hours. In Apr. of 2003, I chose to moved back to the state I loved the most Texas. Believe it or not Texas and Australia have much of the same geographical features. Guess that why both my favorites places to be huh.
Now this was the best decsion I have ever made in my life. For in Jan of 2004, I met the most wonderful person in the entire world. He is so generous, caring and understanding. He has the same passion for animals as I do, the great outdoors, walking and exploring. Taking pictures of nature and wildlfie, well maybe not as many pictures as I take, but he enjoys it too. On Feb 17, 2005 we were married. He has two younger daughters that are still in school, one soon to be thirteen and the youngest nine. The youngest has the same love and curiousity of nature and wildlife that I do. Her and I go exploring around the lake that we live on. Have become good friends with all the waterfowl, especially when we carry a loaf of bread. She and I can sit on the edge of the lake with bread and ducks, geese loons and gulls will come right up in our laps. We have yet to entice any of the herons, pelicans, ibis, guinea hens or egrets to join us, they mainly swoop in and scoop up what slices we throw out into the lake. The first spring I moved here I was sitting on the bank in one of the coves and I looked up to see three pure white peacocks. I was lucky enough to get a picture of one. My first thought was that they must be albinos, but was later informed by an old timer near us, that they are Japanese peacocks . That years and years ago some must have escaped from whoever had brought them to Texas and they survied out in the wildness. Each spring a few migrate to our lake and stay a month or so and are gone again. I take pictures of hawks, eagles, doves and way to many others types of birds to mention. Plus opposums, armadillos and yes water moccasins and rattlers. For I, like Terri and Steve, believe in the values of teaching children not to be afraid of any creature, but to learn to respect any creature and treat it to be a dangerous as it can be. More people who panic and show fear as a reaction, get into trouble with wildlife then if they had just calmly backed up in retreat until they are a safe distance away would have. My step-daughters watch The Crocodile Hunter with me and it a valuable learning experience, because we discuss why Steve did what he did or said what he said. We place it to the level of what if you encountered situations right here around us.
Needless to say that I am so very happy with my life as it is now and though Steve was not directly involved in getting me to where I am now, he was instrumental in an indirect way. Watching his show, him and Terri living the lifestyle I did at one time. Of course theirs was in a much more expanded version that mine ever was, but we shared the same principles of life. This made me ask myself guestions. Say to myself, I used to be like him. Living the way I wanted, caring and protecting my family, my animals and nature around me. Where did I take the wrong path and move away from all that? Was is really that important for me to get back to that way of living again? Do I have the strength and percerverance to get back there should I want to? Well obvisouly, I did change my life drastically and I did get back on the Good Red Road again, but I truthfully I feel if I hadn’t watched The Crocodile Hunter all those years, I would never have guestioned myself or my values.
Okay reading this I have also come to the following conclusions as to why I also grive so for this man Steve Irwin.
1. For obvious reasons, even though he was just a television star, his so bigger than life itself ways, over the years we took him into our hearts. 2. His childlike ways as I mentioned earlier, for me personally is like losing my daughter all over again. The grief of knowing they passed before their time. The grief that their was so much more they had to give and share with us and we have lost that forever. My grief for my three month old daughter was a silent one. She was 12 weeks premature and frought fircely those three months to live, but in the end it was just too much for her and she went with the angels. My husband would never touch her or rarely even came to the Neo-Natal hospital Mia had been flown too. Just his way is all, he didn’t want to get attached because if she had died, it would hurt more. I hurt deeply, but was unable to share that with anyone, so I just kept it buried within myself all these years. 3. His ways, his enthusiasim for life, the way he carried his emotions on his sleeve, his love and devotion to everything and everyone around him, his sincerity, and most of all his concern as conservasionist and a wildlife rehabilitator they are all traits that both my Father and my Grandfather had. Again two people who I loved more than life and was not allowed to grive properly for. Life just went on after their deaths and I silently held my sense of loss to myself.
I grieve deeply for Steve Irwin for who you were and what this world has lost, I grieve deeply for my Father who I never really got to know and I grieve deeply for my Grandfather who in much of his life was the father I never had. All three of you had so much in common that is it uncanny, I grieve for you, miss you. Last but not least, I grieve deeply for my Daughter Mia, who I never got to see grow up, to teach you how to ride horses, to teach you that beauty is all around us if you open your eyes and heart to it, to you do all the wondrous things children do, or kiss you scraped elbow or knee, to wipe your tears when you hurt or hear you say I love you Momma.
My greatest prayer is that you all get to know each other in heaven, for I truly believe you would like each other. And that you know now that I am finally allowed to grieve for each of you and that the pain of your loss has been with me since your parting of Mother Earth. As the tears flow, know that they are cleansing me of pain, also know that I will be able heal now. I will always love you and miss you until the day I am standing there beside you all. These words that I have written have been a long time in coming, and Steve Irwin, may Grandfather Spirit forever Bless you because once again in an indirect way you have touched my soul. E me nv (Amen)
ayu uqauhiu nihi (I Loves You) Do'dagag'hvi (until we see each other again) Jadaxsastesti (take care)
I find myself looking up his name on the internet several times a day to see if there is any new news on him, as if I were looking for him to return. I have saved every picture that I have found of him onto my computer to create a memorial video for myself. I have watched and recorded every thing regarding him in his tribute and hardly can make it past the words "we'll miss you mate, we'll take it from here"...I cry at just typing those words.
I find myself asking God why...Why would You take someone that is doing so much good for Your creations? Why would You take someone that is so inspirational? Why would You take a father from his children...a husband from his wife? WHY? But then in my heart answers.."Look at the ripple". Steve's "life" is not over. Steve was ONE man, that we loved to watch on television and at the zoo, that spent his whole life and all of his devotion to animal conservation. Steve was our hero, our warrior, the one that did things that we dared to dream of. And now..at this peak in his life, he was taken so quickly...
Look at the ripple. Everyone that loved him so well will never look at a reptile or mammal the same way. For those that loved him, IF we all take that extra measure to follow his footsteps and do what we can to save an animal, give to world conversation, in turn, we could be saving our world. And Steve's mission will not live in only Bindi or Bob, but in all of us also.
Steve has been taken to a better place. To see him cry for his mum, and to read what he wrote about and to her on the Crocodile Hunter website is so very moving. His last words in a letter in her memorial were "I long to be reunited with you". I would like to believe his wish is fulfilled.
As much as we want to question God, He knows what was ahead for Steve, and God took him now. It is up to us to make the most of having the honor of "knowing" Steve here on earth. Let's make Steve proud.
We WILL miss you mate....and forever remember you.
Steve will be missed by many people that he will never have the chance to meet, at least not in this life. I'm 53 years old and still after 2 weeks am in shock. I sat yesterday and watched most of the shows on Animal Planet. I especially loved the one where he went to the Antartica and had the opportunity to see the whales and the seals. I was crying by the end of the show knowing that Steve would never go and see new things again and then when the epidsode of Suie dying from cancer came on, I nearly lost it. It broke my heart to watch that one but now Steve's with his precious girl and they are playing in Gods heavens. Steve was an ordinary "bloke" but in my eyes he was a hero to animals and he will be sadly missed. Janet
I've been extemely upset by this too. I keep thinking how could someone I didn't know in real life have such an impact? But all of us viewers did feel as if we knew him personally. He had a way of talking straight to your heart. He was such a genuine person and had such passion and those qualities are hard to find these days. He was so full of life I just can't imagine him laying somewhere lifeless. It is so sad! To do such "dangerous" work every day of your life and then to be killed by something seemingly harmless. I can't imagine the pain of his family. If we think a light went out in our lives, it must be nothing compared to their pain. Terrie is without her soulmate and their kids are deprived of a wonderful father. I hope Steve is somewhere playing with the crocs right now and finds a little "rippa".
I am 22 years old in the states , Virginia to be exact and my mother , step father , uncle , best friend and I have all been in tears everyday and feel as though it simply cannot be real and how to move on so you are not alone .I would just like to say to Steve's family , that my family & I truly have them in our prayers . We reside in Appomattox , Virginia , and we have watched everything on their family and we have cried so much , I know we did not actually know him , but this has deeply effected us all . I do not know anyone who is not deeply touched and sadden by what occurred and we all grieve not just for him but for his entire family , friends and animals . I am mobility disabled with a illness that tends to make people judge me because it makes my legs swell really huge and it was so refreshing to see a family in the spotlight that was so open hearted to not only animals but to human beings and never judgmental . We have surely lost an amazing person and we all feel it .Terri , Bindi and Bob we are so truly sorry and pray for your beautiful family ! God bless you all .Allison Freeman & Family
I too am having great difficulty with Steve's death. If I am feeling this upset I can't possibly even begin to imagine what Terri is going through.I feel so sad. I feel like crying a lot of the time. I am crying now. I don't want my husband to know how upset I am. I am afraid he might think it's crazy. Everytime Steve comes on Animal Planet it is so hard to believe he is really gone. He was so full of life and passion.I plan on watching the memorial and I know I will cry like a baby.It's so hard to believe that he is gone.I pray for his family to find comfort.I can only imagine how difficult it will be to go on without him. He was a truly wonderful soul in so many ways. There will never be another Steve Irwin.
your are most definately not alone. i cant watch an episode or a memorial message about him without crying. He was a great man and its people like us who will keep his memory alive! good luck to you and take comfort in knowing Steve is now tending to the ultimate wildlife Kingdom!
It is so strange how Steve's death has affected my daughter and I. I really feel like someone I knew and was close to passed away. My daughter has always loved Steve. We had a couple of Croc Hunter themed birthday parties for her in the past. The most heartbreaking thing she said to me was that she was only 10 years old and already knew that one of her dreams would never come true! We had always talked about going to the Australia Zoo and watching Steve. Now we know we never will. Terri, Bindi and Bob are in our prayers. Rest in Peace Steve.
I am in agreement with everyone. I want to send my heartfelt condolences to the Irwin family and to his family around the world. We have lost a true hero. He inspired me to share his passion and as a result, I have had a snake in my kindergarten class for the past 4 years. My students have learned that reptiles are not evil creatures and every year students return to check on their friend (my snake) Timex. Steve has touched my life and the lives of many others and I just wanted to let everyone know how much Steve meant to me and my family. I hope that Teri Irwin and her family can continue his legacy and keep the Australian Zoo so that one day I can come and share with them how much of an impact Steve has made to my life. With heartfelt sympathy and sadness. Sincerely, The Steele family
I have watched Steve Irwin from the very beginning, and I am also having a hard time with his passing. I have always wanted to visit Australia so I can just go to Australia Zoo to see him in action. There will never be anyone like Steve. He was truly one in a million. I wish that I could donate everything I have to keep his zoo open and to help keep his message alive. And it is upsetting to me that I can't give anything since I'm still in school and have many more years to go. I have made a promise that the minute I have a degree and begin to work, I will donate and become a Wildlife Warrior.
I continue to question why such a good good man had to go, but I constantly remind myself that God has a reason for all that he does. As sad and truly devastating as it is to lose someone who is so full of life, we must move on and keep his legacy alive in which ever way that we can.
Never meeting Steve we all got to know him and saw how good of a person he was. He was a wonderful son, husband, and most importantly a fantastic father. With all my heart I give my deepest condolences to the Irwin family in there time of need, God bless them.
Steve you will always be remembered, rest in peace.
This is the second time in a week that I felt the benefit of a support group. I, too, do not understand why I cry constantly.
All day yesterday I watched the 'Crocs Rule - Tribute to Steve Irwin' and cried and cried. Every time the commercial came on that said "We'll miss you mate - we'll take it from here, I cried some more" (even more as I write this). I have repeatedly said to my husband, that I am unsure why I am as emotional as I am. But yet, to turn to a different channel would be a betrayal.
I am truly overwhelmed by my own sadness over the sudden loss of a man whom I do not personally know, yet feel we have known each other for years. A man who had the respect of so many people globally while teaching us how to respect animals, mammals and reptiles alike and to always remember that we are in their world.
In thinking about why I am so sad, I realized that this man was spreading a message of kindness and compassion in a world that can be so threatening. His message was one that he lived every day, these were not just spoken words. He had a wonderful way of mixing danger with fun, and being ever mindful for the safety of the people he chose as part of his inner circle. From the practical jokes on fellow zoo mates to the seriousness of a sick animal, his passion became our passion. Little children idolize him and adults appreciate and respect him and the message he was “put on this planet to spread”. To be this loved and respected by so many people of all ages, shows that Steve Irwin was truly genuine, on camera and off. To know that he loved his family, friends and life’s mission with all that he was totally endeared him to our hearts.
I cry not only for Terry, Bindi Sue, Bob Jr, Bob Sr, the entire Australia Zoo Family, but also for the animals who have lost a true friend and champion, a friend whose passion not only made their lives better but also enriched the lives of everyone else he came in contact with just a little bit more.
I am quite sure Steve understood all the dangers present in doing what he loved most, and I know that he was well aware that he might lose his life trying to educate the rest of the world about the lives of the creatures he loved, but losing him still hurts.
Terri, in continuing the work you and Steve loved so much, you will undoubtedly be the healing force for the rest of us. God Bless you, Bindi Sue, Bob Jr, Bob Sr., and everyone at the zoo. We’ll be seeing you…………………….
I'm 32 from a little place called Beryl, Utah. I just loved Steve and his family, and I have a hard time watching his shows now without wanting to cry and feeling for sweet wife or beautiful little girl or his new little boy. I am so sad that he is gone, even though I think he went doing what he loved the most. It makes me sad. He was such a good person, who did wonderful things and had so much to offer his children and the world still. I hope that his children are able to grow up and take over for him. I really do have Terry and the kids on my mind, I feel for them and hope them all the best for their future. My prayers and thoughts are with them. Even though I don't know them or have never met them, but I do know that they are going to miss a great person, as I am and I never even met the Man. You will be missed very much Steve Irwin. I don't think there will ever be another quite like you.. Your friend from Beryl, Utah Becky
I am a 37 yr. old mother of 3. My family loves the crocodile hunter we were consumed everytime the show came on. I have never posted anything ever. So here it goes. I feel the same way as for so much of the world. Why can't I get past this extreme saddness. It is always on my mind. I asked my friend who is a nurse. Why am I crying constantly through out the day? It has been two weeks since the world has had this great loss, I think about his soul in heaven, I think about his wife and children. We see his smiling face, his love for all God's creature's. I'm not crazy, or a wierd person. Why is it so hard. I've never felt like this over someone I have watched on tv. Maybe it is because we have fallen in love with the Irwin Family as if they were own family . I know one thing , he is with his mother. His entire family,including his zoo family . I'm sorry this sounds so corny. just can't get all of my feelings out. God Bless to all. The Hooper's milford, Ohio
My deepest sympathies to th Erwin Family in their time of greif. He will always be with you watching over you and the animals he so loved.We are greatly saddend by his untimely passing,but rest assured he has passed along his love of animals and has inspired many to follow in his foot steps. He has passed the ball to a whole new generayion that will carry on his lifes work. With a heavy heart my prayers go out to his wife Terry and his childred Bindi and Bob and especially to his father, as well as everyone at The Australia Zoo. Steve will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
It helps to know there are others who are so deeply saddened by Steve's death. I am a 60 year old woman and I watched all Steve's shows just because he was fun and I love animals. I can watch snakes now without flipping channels! One person wrote how Diana's death affected her and now Steve's death. Exactly the way it has struck home with me. I'm so surprised, but there it is. Cried and cried for Diana and now Steve Irwin. Everytime the announcer says, "...we'll take it from here," my heart breaks and there go the tears streaming down my face. I can't imagine how his family and Wes and friends are handling it. Any loss is devastating but when the person is a larger than life persona my goodness it leaves a huge huge hole. I'm glad to have this opportunity to read your thoughts, know I'm not alone and be able to share. My best to his family, but somehow don't we all feel he was our family? Namaste Steve. Hope you're getting loads of love from your mum and Sui. Miranda, Sacramento, CA
I'm finding it very difficult, who wouldn't about a talented, loving, and just a great man like Steve. I've always loved animals and always wanted to know what it's like to work with animals. Then I saw Steve with a crocodile and I thought that was amaging that someone would actualy not have any fear with such dangerous animals. Steve was the only one in the world that would do something like that.
I just can't seem to get over the death of Steve. I try my hardest to make myself laugh or at least just smile but I can't help but be sad. I miss him alot. It's unbelievable that hes gone and forever. He was a true hero to animals and even people. We are lucky that he did the things he did. I hope I get a chance to see the memorial so that I could say goodbye and not have to feal guilty about not saying my last goodbye to the most wonderful man in the world. He was a true blessing to our world and everyone knows it. His family and friends our in my thoughts and prayers. I hope they are doing ok.
43 Female in NC. My Husband and I loved tow atch all Steve's shows. I am having a hard time with this. I just thought he was such a wonderful loving caring man. You could see how much he really loved the animals and his family. He will be missed and no one will ever be able to fill those shoes. Hubby and I had a tripped planned to Austrailia next year for our anniversary and the first stop was to his Zoo. Now who knows if i will even go.
Like many of you I have been feeling the impact of Steve Irwin’s death. It has been a whirlwind of emotions for me. I haven’t been able to keep from crying for two weeks now. I am a 22 year-old college student, who through out my teenage years became a huge Crocodile Hunter fan. Every time I watched Steve save a croc, snake or kangaroo I was captivated. He had passion and enthusiasm like no other; his excitement for wildlife was infectious. It is hard to digest, that he is no more. I have had dreams were he’s alive and I feel relief, but that emotion is ripped away quickly when I awake. I have even gone so far to ponder that maybe he faked his death and is living somewhere with Elvis. I just don’t want his death to be true. I am hoping the public memorial will help us find closure. I guess it’s true that “only the good die young.” You will be deeply missed mate. My love and heartfelt prayers go out to the Irwin family.
You are no way alone. I am a 60 year old, happily married female, ex-teacher, full time animal lover. Nothing has effected me so deeply since 9/11, seriously. Steve Irwin didn't seem to me like a public figure, he seemed like a member of my family, someone who understood how I felt and could communicate it. He's not one in a million, he MAY be one in a billion, but even that may be an awesome underestimation. I didn't really like watching "Animal Planet" until I saw The Crocodile Hunter a few years ago: Steve is, and always will be, unique. For grief, this is what happened to me: a week after Steve's passing, my neighbor said she was trying to find a new home for their blonde cocker spaniel. His teenage "master" had outgrown him; this is a dog who always ran to me and comforted me for hours on end over the five years he's lived next door. So, after asking my mom and husband, I adopted "Buffy"--a sweet boy. His longish blonde fur reminds me of Steve, and I am happy to have this new member to our family--it doesn't fill the empty space left by Steve, but it helps a lot. Buffy has just come out of surgery successfully today--he had been neglected and malnourished as a puppy and his teeth were in terrible shape. He follows me everywhere, has great bounding energy, and is as sweet as can be. He joins 4 indoor cats, tamed from the outdoor feral colony that I've been managing since 1999. Follow you heart, dear. Reach out to animals near you--birds, cats or dogs, mice or rats (yup, had those, too), anything and everything. The more the merrier. It will change you and it will comfort you and it will make Steve live in your heart forever....my prayers for you, too.
i dont think that i will ever come to terms with it.... i loved him like brother, and still do. it was always my dream to meet him, but seeing as im 16, ive never had the opportunity to go to australia. it was planned for me to go next year.... everytime i se that backround that Animal Planet has, i cant stop crying. i havnt changed the channel in days. i just dont beleive he's gone.... i cant.... he's Steve Irwin, the croc hunter.... i just thank god that it wasnt a croc that did it. i know that sounds terrible. Godbless Steve Irwin, ill miss you budy
iknow how you all feel to me and my family steve was like a very big part of our family.my 14 year old son mark has been doing nothing but crying and has been so down its hard to get him to eat.all he keeps saying is why did he have to leave us why him.i dont know what to tell him other than god wanted him and thats all i could say before i brake down and cry.my son has never missed a show and has allways said he is going to be like steve when he grows up.he now wants to go over to the zoo were steve was and work there.for that i am so proud of him but it is just tearing my heart up to see him this hurt he has never been this hurt or upset about anything as he is about this.if anyone has any ideas how i can handle this please let me know.
angiet, I for one hope you do go to Australia Zoo. Terri, Bindi, little Bob,Big Bob, and the rest of the zoo family need our support more than ever now. I think supporting them by supporting the zoo, and the wildlife warriors is the best way to heal from this amazing tragedy. It will probably be the trip of a lifetime for you and your husband. Don't cancel. So many of us here on the forum would do just about anything to be able to go there, and pay our respects to Steve and his family. I can't think of a better way myself. Steve would want you to go and enjoy his "Big Boys" Acco, and Aggro, Charlie and the rest of the zoo animals. Once again, Don't Cancel, I think you would regret it. God Bless you always.
The best advise I can give you is to give it to God, and continue to encourage your son to make his dream a reality. Get him involved with the wildlife warrior organization, and make him a member. I think that way he can always feel like a part of Steve will always be with him. Stay strong, and don't worry about crying, it cleanses the soul, and beleive it or not, it will get easier, though I too am still crying everyday, and it certainly has not gotten easier yet, but I have full faith that someday we will all see Steve again. God Bless you and your family.
mon24mon makes a good point. bein part of what he created will make him feel apart of him. and it hasnt goten easier, but it will.... ive always bee ntorn on what i want to devote my life to. it has always been between conservation, and military/law enforcement. i have plans to join the Marines next year, but dont know now....
I simply don't know why I can't stop crying about this...How could I be so affected by someone I never knew. I never even watched his shows until yesterday...He just had something so special that I don't think can ever be matched...
It is so comforting to know that I am not the only one who is feeling such loss. I hav enever met Steve but I took hi sloss personally, as thoguh I kne whim. How could you not feel close to someone who was real? He came in to our lives every week via television wearing his heart on his sleeve and sparkling enthusiasm on his face. We were in Hawaii. It was aroudn 2 Am Hawaii time when I was up with my baby. CNN had showed a caption that a crocodile hunter was killed. I assumed that soem game hunter was killed trying to capture a croc. Imagine the shock when they showed Steves photo. I felt liek the wind had been taken from my lungs. I sat there and stared at the TV and blinked several times thinking maybe I was so tired due to the time change....I turned the channel and there it was on Fox & friends..........he was gone. I cried for over an hour. I have watched the tributes from friends and fans. I cry every time I see one of them. How could we not feel such pain? He was larger than life and yet we all feel as though we were there with him, standing by his side at one with the animals. He was larger than life. he was NOT a bad person. He was a devoted father, husband & son. He was a champion of animal rights. He was doing such good. Why did he have to go now? When will any of us not cry? I keep thinking about tomorrow & the Memorial. I know I am going to be crying my eyes out again. It just is so sad that he is gone. Steve was wonderful...........why him? Why was he chosen to leave here?
I am 29 y.o. The day I heard the news I just kept on saying "I can't believe it" I have always been an animal lover. In fact when I was a kid I'd bring home stray dogs and my mom would say who's dog is that and I say mine. Needless to say I got to keep my dogs. I also once saved a bunny from the neighbors cat and tried to nurse a mouse back to health after a cat had it's way with it. I grew up with a pond in my back yard and had wildlife all around me. I find it comforting to come to these sites and read all the tributes. I don't have someone in the town that I live in to truly talk out my feelings to. My "best mate" lives else where and I can't talk to her every day. Althought when I do she comforts me. I don't want to thank Steve for his death but b/c of it I have truly become more aware of what I NEED to do and always loved. In a sense recapture my youth and proceed with something that has always been heart felt and now that I am an adult I can comprehend what it truly means. I know I will never forget how I felt the day (and still) I heard the news but that feeling will push me ahead. Not only to better myself but to find my mission in my life. Because I would love to work for something other than money and truly, truly love what I do. Thanks for everyones support.....I appreciate it!! ( if you haven't read the poem by evelyn224---The Day the Animals cried----you should)
You aren't alone, Princess Diana's death took me a while to believe it to this day I still find it hard to believe she's gone, then Now Steve, his death also took me a while to believe he died and now I am finding it hard to believe he's gone. I was watching a TV show and news break came on saying that Steve Irwin had died I was like what? Then again the news break came back saying Steve Irwin had died I still couldn't get it and the thrid time I was like Now way Steve gone? How ? We'll miss you Steve!
I'm having a hard time too.I wasnt Steve's big fan and I saw only several programs of him,but yet,when I saw in the site that he died i started to cry.I saw it yestarday(which is a week after his accident) and through this day I understood that God gives us present like Steve and take them back when they reach the top of their dreams. So I ask God:why wont you save us the pain and stop giving present that you are going to take back?
It is truly amazing to see how many lives one person can touch. I have never even been to Australia Zoo, but I feel so close to the whole family, I thought by now I would be dealing better with this, and I am not. I think about Steve every day and Terri, Bindi, and Bob too. My 4 year old son even cried and said how sad he was that Bindi would never get to hug her daddy again. (I am in tears while writing this ). TO STEVE - We will never forget you, what you stood for and the amazing person you were. You will be greatly missed.
I feel the same way. Why has the death of this person affected me so deeply? I am so thankful that Animal Planet is televising the Memorial Service. Maybe that will help us all to have closure. Also, am I the only one who plans on visiting the Australia Zoo (in about 10 years) in hopes that I will get to see Bindi and Bob carrying on their fathers legacy?
My name is Amy and Im 37 years old and when my brother told me about Steve Irwin I cried all day. I lost my grandmother 4 years ago and I think about her and cry 
sometimes. I cant believe it. My nephews are 7 and 3 and they would sit and watch the crocodile hunter with me for and hour 5 days a week. I Miss Steve im sad now 
